Category: Interior Design

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Howdy folks! Have you ever wondered: what is Shabby Chic Style? Well, if not, do it now. In fact, today we’re gonna talk about this very trendy Interior Design decor, which combines cozy and elegance.

Do not be fooled by the name, by the way, because the overall effect is not unkempt at all. Actually, it is very accurate in details!

In fact, a proper Shabby Chic Style, means your furniture and furnishing accessories show a lived, old-fashioned look. That’s the way you can find traces of time in them, even if they are not necessarily authentic. The thing is these traces must be well simulated and purposely created to show their characteristic light colors. That’s what is Shabby Chic Style all about… White colors, rather pastel colors, “faded” and “ruined” and “dated” to give the typical Shabby appearance.

Not by chance, it is a taste that loves the patina of the already experienced and the “dusty” effect of pastel paints.

Shabby Chic Style decorations

WHAT IS ABOUT SHABBY CHIC STYLE ORIGINS?

THE SYLES THAT INFLUENCED SHABBY CHIC STYLE

We must recall that Shabby Chic Style was born in the good and old Britain. The first glimpses of it were seen, above all, in the beautiful and large country houses. As a matter of fact, there were typical elements in every stately home, such as worn-out chintz sofas, old paintings, wallpaper, white curtains and large chandeliers. So, to begin with, this gives us a sense of what the Shabby ChicStyle is.

It is no coincidence that Shabby ChicStyle has much in common with period furnishings, especially Victorian Style. Although the glamorous and eccentric element makes the difference between Shabby Chic Style and other Interior Design Styles.

Shabby Chic Style Dining Rooms

By the way, it was not just the influence of English Country House and Victorian Era. In fact, Shabby Chic Style draws its inspiration from a wide range of styles of furniture. For starters the Swedish, further more the French Chateau (dating back to enchanting castles of the Loire) and finally the American Shakers Style, for which the essential simplicity reigns supreme.

Talking about the Swedish influence, the Gustavian Style, in particular, owes its name to the king of Sweden, Gustav III. They say that, once, he visited the Palace of Versailles and he decided to create a “New Paris” in northern Europe.

As a consequence, the Gustavian Style was a fusion between Neoclassicism and French Rococo. However, pruned from any excess and adapted to the sobriety of the Nordic style.

Rachel Ashwell’s “The World of Shabby Chic”

THE SUCCESS OF SHABBY CHIC STYLE IN THE US

Shabby Chic Style was born in England and influenced by other European styles, as we saw. Then, it was finally and successfully exported to the US in the 1980’s by American designer Rachel Ashwell.

Indeed, she was the one who coined the name “Shabby Chic Style”. This name appeared for the first time on “The World of Interiors” magazine in the 80s. From there on it became extremely popular in the United States. To be fair, the 90’s were its most popular period, especially because of an increase in styles and variations.

Certainly, Shabby Chic Style can assume different shades. It depends on whether you use French Style furniture and light colors or more rustic furniture with strict lines and darker colors. Among Shabby Chic Style we find, therefore, Romantic Chic, Rustic Chic, Provencal, Country Chic, Pickled, Total White to name a few!

THE SPIRIT OF THE SHABBY CHIC STYLE

ROMANTIC AND NOSTALGIC ATMOSPHERES

So, what is Shabby Chic Style, again? We can say it’s a new way to redesign rooms. As a result, concerning how illuminating them with pastel colors, antique finishes, characteristic and personalized details. Hence, next to the furniture, you can add wrought iron details and simple fabrics such as linen and cotton, enhanced by soft colors.

In conclusion, Shabby Chic Style is the perfect style, not only to be fashionable, but above all, to create romantic and nostalgic atmospheres. That’s because the intent is to give new life to rustic environments. How? By embellishing them with details and colors and personalizing them with a unique and original character.

From Rachel Ashwell’s Book

Moreover, the Shabby Chic Style arises from the need to recover objects forgotten in the attic and give them new life. In effect, thanks to the “elegant shabby”technique, the dent is deliberately seen and, as if by magic, the defect becomes valuable because of a coat of paint.

Consequently, the leitmotiv here is the old object, worn but revalued thanks to its vintage nature. Therefore, imperfection is exalted to emphasize its vintage essence: hence, it is the soul of what Shabby Chic Style is.

From Rachel Ashwell’s Book

Similarly, it’s a bit like what happens to the Industrial Style. In fact, this particular style makes the recovery and reuse the cornerstone of its essence. Specifically, the Industrial Style wants to transform former factories and attached equipment connected to them.

Eventually, the both of ShabbyChic Style and Industrial Style, give a second chance to the old furniture. The result is that they bloom and shine again under a new, romantic connotation: the vintage one.

Definitely, there are so many affinities between these two Interior Design Styles, that both find a perfect fusion in Urban Chic Style. We can, maybe, define it as the Industrial Style with touches of white. If you’re interested, you can find more about how to furnish in Industrial Style in this post.

WHAT ABOUT SHABBY CHIC STYLE COLORS?

A FEW PASTEL COLORS AND WIDE GRADATIONS

So, as we already said, the Shabby Chic Style admits a limited color palette in shades, but really wide in gradations. That way, within this style, the atmosphere is very cozy, relaxing, with soft and strictly opaque colors. For instance, white dominates with all its shades such as classic beige, rather ivory and light gray. You can match these basic colors with pastel colors like pink, lavenderlilac, beige, light gray, sky blue and sage green.

From Rachel Ashwell’s Book

SHABBY CHIC STYLE’S FURNITURE AND DECORATIONS MATERIALS

WOOD, STONE AND TERRACOTTA

What about the materials used for Shabby Chic Style? First of all, as regards the surfaces, we have wood and then also stone and terracotta. In addition, hemp and natural cotton for fabrics. Moreover floral prints, in moderation, romantic sheets with lace details or flowers, curtains in soft linen and, of course, lace.

Fireplace With Candles from Maison Lafitte, Mandeville, LA

FURNISHING ELEMENTS TO INCLUDE WITHIN SHABBY CHIC STYLE

NOT TO FORGET THE DETAILS

Cushions, whose colors and patterns must always have a country and natural touch

TO EACH HIS SHABBY CHIC STYLE

Are you Shabby Chic Style person? I am! In fact, I have a couple of things in that style, especially in the dining room and the master bedroom. So, why don’t you show me your personal Shabby Chic Style furnishing by posting some of your furniture and decor? I am very curious ^_^ If you have questions, please don’t esitate to ask me in the comments below. See you soon,

Hello everyone, today we talk about a very peculiar interior design style: industrial chic and the rules to avoid mistakes with your home furniture. Do you have in mind the new York lofts furnished with all those objects recovered from disused industries? That’s it: industrial design style within its industrial style home furniture as well!

It’s a very popular kind of home furniture, but it has its own principles to make it work. How to do that the right way without running risks? Let’s begin this journey through industrial design style.

First thing first a bit of history:

Manhattan’s overview from Rockefeller Center – Top of the Rock

We are in New York city back in the 50’s, where and when it all began.

The industrial design style took place as a trend that is still much in vogue today for home furniture.

As former offices and industries fell into disuse recovering those buildings became a need, so they were turned into private living spaces.

That’s how industrial design style was born. Reconverting spaces by keeping intact their original imprint: this is what it’s all about. Still, today there’s a great lofts demand in the market.

Lofts are cool, let’s say that! Though, not so “cool” anymore when you have to warm them up! ^_^ (Actually, heating an industrial chic room is usually done with a cast iron stove, or large gray radiators mounted on the walls, with recovery objects lying on the floor).

The idea of bringing beauty within disused and abandoned buildings, was an intriguing challenge for the creative minds of the time: a beauty that was meant to show her imperfections, with elegance and a touch of irreverence.

Not to mention the fact that Andy Warhol gave life to “The Factory”, his studio based in Midtown Manhattan, and turned it into a thriving and active aggregation center for the Big Apple’s artists, hipsters and socialites.

Then it was the turn of American movies and TV series set in those big lofts; people began to fall in love with the retro and vintage style in which the warehouses, they saw on the screen, were changed into.

Nowadays that industrial style from the 50’s is also called industrial chic or urban industrial, let’s say it’s a bit “sweetened” version than that of the past, and definitely less raw.

Design:

Essential and spartan, industrial style is also well combined with an environmental sustainability subject, because it comes to reuse. Basically the industrial style is made up of bare pieces, such as recovery and vintage objects accompanied by furniture with sober, essential and clean lines.

It’s motto is “showing not hiding”! So brick walls, large and simple fixtures, high ceilings and antique wooden beams are highlighted.

Rigorous minimalism with a few component to connote the environment.

Sobriety of colors and shades aims to enhance the single elements to emphasize a modern, dynamic and at the same time whimsical environment, in which metallic reflections are intertwined with rigorous monochromes, giving life to a classy and minimalist atmosphere.

Furnishings:

Functional, absolutely basic and made of resistant materials, the furnishings have a strong simplicity and a grunge charm that allows them to be placed in any environment, from the living room to the kitchen, as from the bathroom to the bedroom, in a very original way.

Materials:

Metals, wood and stone are matched wisely to give life to a captivating and unique simplicity of its kind. Just be aware not to make the environment too cold by using too many ferrous metals, which are clearly the most popular.

Wood and copper come in handy to avoid this risk, not to mention leather, especially the brown one that warms up the atmosphere. You have to create welcoming environments, don’t forget it’s your home we’re talking about, it has to be a comfortable place to you, your own safe spot.

Colors and light:

Gray within all its shades up to black is the base of the color palette here, but beige and brown are good too; white is also allowed to spread a little light to the environment.

Natural light is essential because it manages to lighten the atmosphere, elements such as metal furniture can be visually heavy. Bulky and large lamps bring light into the room and hold the industrial spirit of the 50’s New York lofts.

As well as floor lamps and spotlights alternate with suspended ones (whose wires must be clearly visible to recall perfectly the factory structure).

Versatility:

Indeed, one of the main advantages about the industrial style is that it coexists with any other decoration.

For instance, it does not happen that marble fireplace clashes with exposed bricks, metal table and industrial lamps. On the contrary, this anachronistic touch obtains a very special effect in the living room bringing a sense of warmth and hospitality.

Industrial chic of your own:

We’ve talked about industrial chicor urban industrialand I hope this post has been useful to you. Why don’t you share pictures of your personal industrial style corner of the house or some beautiful items you found at a flea market that really made your day? Need tips on which furniture to choose for your urban chic decor? You’ll find a few ideas on my post aboutvintage chic home decor.

You really don’t know which could be your design style? No worries. I have the solution for you! Go to Davona’s Home Decor web site, she has the answer. You’ll find your design style in 4 simple steps.

I look forward to see your photos and to read your ideas about this topic. Thank you for stopping by… See you soon!